TECUMSEH — At least one community is hoping for winter weather for the next week or so.

The fourth annual Tecumseh Ice Sculpture Festival is planned for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 20, throughout downtown Tecumseh. The event is sponsored by the Tecumseh Area Chamber of Commerce, Evans Street Station and Tecumseh’s Central Business Association.

Paula Holtz, Tecumseh economic development director, said the festival has been a big draw for downtown, despite the uncooperative weather last year.

“Most of it is returning favorites this year,” she said. “Weather permitting, we plan to have the snowshoe races downtown and ice skating at Adams Park.”

Activities such as the Chocolate Walk and the Man Cave at Evans Street Station are also returning, but much of the focus will be on the ice sculptures and other outdoor wintertime activities.

More than 25 sculptures are planned to be carved for display downtown, said Linda Hewlett, city of Tecumseh marketing coordinator. The festival will include a pair of dueling carvers, who will square off throughout the afternoon Saturday creating ice sculptures, according to a news release.

“The horse-drawn carriage rides will be offered. They were really popular at the Christmas events,” Holtz said.

The rides are $2 per person, with children under 4 riding free. The carriage rides will be offered from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and begin at the corner of South Ottawa Street and East Chicago Boulevard.

Weather permitting, snowshoe races are planned from 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday. The Tecumseh Parks and Recreation Department will provide snowshoes for the friendly competition on the lawn at the First Presbyterian Church at the corner of Chicago Boulevard and Pearl Street.

Ice skating will be available, weather permitting, at Adams Park next to city hall, and ice-sculpture-carving demonstrations are planned for locations throughout the downtown area. Interactive sculptures will be sited around the central business district as well.

A snowman make-it, display-it event for kids, sponsored by the Tecumseh Area Chamber of Commerce, will be in front of the chamber office at 132 W. Chicago Blvd. Merchants will also have a Winter Warm-up Walk from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, with various beverages being served. Visitors are encouraged to vote for their favorite.

Bell choir performances are scheduled at Carpet on Wheels, 119 W. Chicago Blvd., during the weekend. The performances start at 11 a.m. Saturday.

The weekend will include lost arts demonstrations at the Rooftop Cafe at the British Pantry, 112 E. Chicago Blvd. Beverly Larsen will be working an 1880s sock-knitting machine, and demonstrations are planned by artisans on a triangular loom and spinning wheel. Locker hook rug making and a demonstration by a Ukrainian egg decorator are also planned. Items will be available for purchase.